


Ever tried to make a podcast and felt totally lost?
You’re not alone. Figuring out which software to use, especially when you hear about Riverside and Streamlabs, can be super confusing.
Which one’s better?
It’s like picking between two really cool video games, but you don’t know the rules.
We’re breaking down Riverside vs Streamlabs.
We’ll look at what each one does best so you can pick the one that fits you.
Let’s make podcasting easier.
Overview
We’ve spent hours testing both Riverside and Streamlabs, diving deep into their features.
This comparison isn’t just theory; it’s based on real-world use, ensuring you get a clear picture of what each platform offers.

Record studio-quality podcasts and videos from anywhere. Your content always feels amazing with Riverside. Try it free today.”
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $24/month
Key Features:
- Studio-quality video
- Live call-in features.
- Separate audio tracks.

Ready to see if Streamlabs is right for you? Millions of streamers already use it and unleash the power of streaming. Explore it today!
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $27/month
Key Features:
- Overlays and Alerts
- Donations and Tipping
- Cloud Backup
What is Riverside?
Riverside? It’s a platform for recording podcasts and videos.
It’s built for quality.
Think clear sound and sharp video.
It’s all done remotely. You don’t need fancy studios. Just your computer.
Also, explore our Riverside Alternatives.

Our Take

Want pro-level recordings? Riverside. FM offers 4K video and separate audio tracks. Thousands of creators use it. Explore it free and see the difference!
Key Benefits
- Remote recording made easy: Invite guests from anywhere in the world.
- Local recording for top-notch quality: Capture separate audio and video tracks on each participant’s device, ensuring flawless recordings even with shaky internet connections.
- Live streaming capabilities: Seamlessly stream to popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and more.
- Built-in editing tools: Polish your recordings directly within the platform.
- Magic Clips: Automatically create short, shareable clips from your recordings, perfect for social media.
Pricing
All the pricing will be billed annually.
- Free: $0/month.
- Pro: $24/month.
- Live: $34/month.
- Business: Contact them for pricing.

Pros
Cons
What is Streamlabs?
Streamlabs is popular.
It’s known for live streaming. It’s also used for recording.
Many creators use it. It’s got lots of tools. It helps make videos look good.
Also, explore our Streamlabs Alternatives.

Our Take

Ready to see if Streamlabs is right for you? Millions of streamers already use it. Explore it out today and unleash the power of streaming!
Key Benefits
- Stream overlays and alerts: Customize your stream with eye-catching graphics and notifications.
- Donations and tipping: Enable your viewers to support your channel financially.
- Chatbot integration: Automate chat moderation and engagement.
- Game-specific integrations: Enhance your gameplay streams with interactive overlays and features.
- Mobile streaming app: Stream directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Pricing
Streamlabs is free to use, with optional paid features and subscriptions for additional customization and benefits:
- Starter: Lifetime free for everyone.
- Ultra: $27/month (billed annually).

Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Riverside and Streamlabs approach content creation from opposite ends of the production spectrum.
Riverside fm is the virtual studio designed for high quality video capture using local recording technology and pristine source files.
Streamlabs is the popular streaming platform focused on live stream distribution and audience engagement through specialized computer software.
This comparison details their key features for various social media platforms.
1. Core Service and Recording Technology
- Riverside: The core service is pristine multi-track record audio and video capture. It utilizes local recording technology to record speakers locally, ensuring high quality video and audio for long-form video interviews, irrespective of the internet connection.
- Streamlabs: The core service is live stream and multi-platform broadcast. It primarily functions as streaming software (computer software) designed to facilitate live stream distribution to various social media platforms simultaneously.
2. Output Quality and File Integrity
- Riverside: Excels in file integrity. Because it uses local recording technology, the high quality video and video tracks are saved locally, making the audio recording resilient against latency or bandwidth issues and minimizing background noise in the final audio recording.
- Streamlabs: Focuses on streaming stability. The recorded files are generally a composite of the final broadcast mix. While reliable for the live stream, the file quality can be constrained by the user’s upload speeds, as noted in the streamlabs review.
3. Post-Production and AI Tools
- Riverside: Features powerful AI tools like magic clips, which automatically identify and edit the best video interviews moments. It offers unlimited transcriptions for creating accurate transcriptions and streamlines editing into the final video tracks.
- Streamlabs: Post-production is minimal. It offers cross clip pro and the cross clip pro editor, designed to quickly repurpose live stream segments into short clips for online media. Comprehensive video editor pro capabilities are often an ultra subscription feature.
4. Distribution Model and Platform Access
- Streamlabs: Is the popular streaming platform for multi stream distribution. Users get all the tools needed in the streamlabs console to stream the live stream to multiple platforms simultaneously.
- Riverside: Focuses on creating the source files. The video tracks can be exported and uploaded to any social media platforms, but users must use an external service or its limited integration for simultaneous live stream distribution.
5. Content Repurposing and Editing Tools
- Streamlabs: The cross clip pro editor is specialized for creating short-form online media from the live stream. It provides an incredibly easy way to cut content and is a key features of the streamlabs ultra subscription.
- Riverside: The editor provides all the tools for long-form editing, including audio recording and syncing. Its AI tools help turn long video interviews into short clips (magic clips), making repurposing efficient.
6. Interface and User Experience
- Riverside: The virtual studio is browser-based, making it incredibly easy for guests in remote locations to record speakers locally using just a simple link. The platform is accessible and intuitive.
- Streamlabs: The streamlabs console provides a feature-rich, integrated experience, especially for users familiar with streaming software. However, the computer software download and setup can be more involved than a simple browser link.
7. Core Audience and Use Case
- Riverside: Targets podcasters and professionals who need high fidelity source files of audio recording and video tracks. It’s the platform for generating pristine content for long-form on-demand media.
- Streamlabs: Targets gamers, live broadcasters, and marketers needing to build community engagement and maximize reach across various social media platforms through the live stream format.
8. Pricing Model and Premium Access
- Streamlabs: Provides a robust free version of its streaming software but locks the best features behind the streamlabs ultra subscription. The ultra subscription is necessary to access all the tools for monetization and customization.
- Riverside: Offers a free version but reserves its best quality features (local recording technology) and unlimited transcriptions for its paid plans.
9. Reviews and Support
- Streamlabs: The streamlabs ultra review and general streamlabs review often praise the comprehensive software solutions and all the tools provided for live broadcasting.
- Riverside: Users highly value the local recording technology and the quality assurance of high quality video capture. Key features like unlimited transcriptions are often highlighted as a major benefit.
What to Look For in a Podcasting Tool?
- Audio Quality: Prioritize local recording for clarity.
- Video Resolution: Higher resolution means better visuals.
- Multistreaming Needs: How many platforms do you need to reach?
- Editing Features: Do you need robust post-production tools?
- Ease of Use: Is the interface intuitive for your skill level?
- Budget: Compare free versions and paid tiers carefully.
- Customer Support: Quick and helpful support is essential.
- Integration: Consider integrations with other tools like OBS.
Final Verdict
After thorough testing, we lean towards Riverside for most content creators, especially podcasters and those prioritizing high-quality remote recordings.
Its ease of use and superior audio/video capture make it stand out.
While Streamlabs offers a rich set of features for live streaming, its complexity can be overwhelming.
If you value simplicity and professional-grade recordings, Riverside.fm is the clear winner.
We’ve used both extensively, and our experience shows Riverside.fm consistently delivers better results for interview-based content.
Trust our hands-on testing to guide your choice.


More of Riverside
Let’s see how Riverside stacks up against these other recording and streaming platforms:
- Riverside vs Restream: Riverside excels in producing high-quality recordings with separate tracks. Restream is primarily for simulcasting live video to multiple platforms, with recording as a secondary feature.
- Riverside vs Streamlabs: Riverside is designed for professional-quality podcast recording, particularly with video. Streamlabs is popular for live streaming with overlays and widgets, offering recording mainly for streaming purposes.
- Riverside vs Streamyard: Riverside records separate, high-quality audio and video tracks locally. Streamyard is a browser-based tool focused on easy live streaming and recording of conversations with guests.
- Riverside vs Zencastr: Both Riverside and Zencastr prioritize high-quality remote audio recording with local track capture. Riverside also offers robust video recording capabilities, which Zencastr lacks.
- Riverside vs Ecamm: Riverside is a dedicated platform for high-quality remote recording and live streaming. Ecamm Live is macOS software with extensive live production features, including recording.
- Riverside vs Castr: Riverside focuses on high-fidelity recording and live streaming with an emphasis on quality. Castr is more geared towards reliable live video streaming to various destinations.
More of Streamlabs
Let’s see how Streamlabs stacks up against these other streaming and recording platforms:
- Streamlabs vs Riverside: Streamlabs is designed for engaging live video streams. Riverside prioritizes high-quality audio and video recording, especially for podcasts with remote guests.
- Streamlabs vs Restream: Both Streamlabs and Restream let you stream to multiple platforms. Streamlabs offers more built-in tools for stream customization and audience interaction.
- Streamlabs vs Streamyard: Streamlabs is software you download with many features for live streaming. Streamyard is a simpler, browser-based tool known for easily having guests on your stream.
- Streamlabs vs Zencastr: Streamlabs focuses on live video streaming with audience engagement tools. Zencastr is specifically for recording high-quality audio for podcasts with remote participants.
- Streamlabs vs Ecamm: Streamlabs is a popular all-in-one streaming solution. Ecamm Live, for Mac users, offers more advanced control and customization for live streams and recordings.
- Streamlabs vs Castr: Streamlabs provides a wide range of features for live streaming, including monetization tools. Castr is a reliable platform focused on stable multistreaming and video delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside.fm better than Streamlabs for podcasting?
Yes, for podcasting, Riverside.fm is generally better. It records high-quality audio and video locally, reducing internet dependency. Its user-friendly interface simplifies remote recording, a key feature for podcasters. Streamlabs is geared more towards live streaming, with a steeper learning curve for audio-focused projects.
Can I use Streamlabs for video editing?
Streamlabs offers some basic video editing tools, but it’s not its primary function. It’s more focused on live streaming and recording. For comprehensive video editing, you’ll need dedicated software. Streamlabs is best used for live production, not post-production editing.
Is Riverside.fm easy to use for beginners?
Yes, Riverside.fm is known for its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be simple, even for beginners. Setting up and recording interviews or solo audio is straightforward. Its intuitive design makes it a good choice for those new to remote recording.
Does Streamlabs support multiple streaming platforms?
Yes, Streamlabs supports multi-streaming to various platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming. This feature allows streamers to reach a wider audience simultaneously. Streamlabs’ ability to connect to many platforms is a major strength for live content creators.
Which software is better for high-quality remote interviews?
Riverside.fm is better for high-quality remote interviews. It records audio and video locally, ensuring clear recordings regardless of internet connection quality. This feature is crucial for professional interviews, where audio clarity is paramount. Streamlabs relies on a strong internet connection.













